Shows & Exhibitions:

Hidden Spire 2017: Sawdust

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Visit the Hidden Spire website to find out more about this and all other Hidden Spire productions: www.hiddenspire.co.uk

“I live and breathe the circus, got sawdust running through my veins…”
Viva Vintage Circus is falling on hard times. The performers – from Lena the acrobat to Samson the lion tamer and the incredible, impossible Insect Girl – have become their own kind of family, determined to see the bad times out.
What do you do when your way of life is crumbling, and you don’t have enough money to pay the lions?

To create Sawdust, 51 Crisis clients worked with 21 professional artists as an ensemble to devise, write, design, build, rehearse and perform the show.

In 2017 we were delighted to include Crisis clients as trainees in design, costume making, lighting, movement, direction and stage management.

On top of being an absolute credit to the charities and individuals who have brought it to life, it is a piece that brings all the laughter and tears one expects when paying admission, with a splash of razzle-dazzle showmanship and plenty of truth to sink your teeth into.
- Daily Info review

We started with workshops bringing together artists from internationally acclaimed theatre company Complicite, Crisis clients and members of the public. Our starting point for this work was the phrase ‘A Beautiful Mess’.

The writing group then explored this and came up with the circus world of Sawdust, with characters and storylines tied together in the final script by the lead writer. The music group composed the songs, the design group created the set, and the devising group worked on the movement and characters.

Sawdust was performed 11 – 14 October 2017.

I’ve learnt a lot during my involvement with Hidden Spire - how to do measurements, fittings and make alterations….The project has meant that I have had an opportunity to gain experience in something I’d otherwise have little chance of getting into.
Costume design trainee

Downloads

Hidden Spire 2017 report

An evaluation of Sawdust, the 2017 Hidden Spire project.

( @ )

Sawdust programme

The Sawdust programme, featuring more information about the process and creative team.

(pdf @ 1.72 MB)

Supported by Arts Council England, Oxford City Council, St Michaels & All Saints Charities and Oxford Theatre Guild.